Also spelled vicuña (Lama vicugna) this, is one of the two species of wild South American camelids living in high alpine areas of the Andes, a relative of the llama and the wild ancestor of the alpaca. It is also related to the guanaco, which lives at lower elevations. Vicuñas are the smallest of these species.
Here’s a short film showing how to distinguish them from the other South American camelids:
Vicuñas are naturally timid and shy, and tend to stay alert in small herds. Their wool is highly prized, even dating back to the Incas. and slower growing, their coats only needing to be shed every two three years. Their wool is extremely fine, and some of the most expensive in the world with coats often selling for several thousands of dollars. Here are two more film clips about them, their special golden fleece, and the importance of their conservation.
There is even a song about them, this one of 26 animal fact numbers by David S. Polansky, and here sung by Jack Alessi, and how this species suffered when the Conquistadors arrived, but it ends on a higher note.
So then, any more related to vicuñas, in music and culture? Feel free to suggest examples, or even from film, art, or other contexts in comments below.
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